Digital camera providing image processing for an attachable printer

ABSTRACT

A system wherein already-existing computing and memory resources in an electronic camera are used to process an image for printing. Rather than duplicating, in printers, computing and memory resources that are already in digital cameras, significant computing and memory resources need exist only in the camera. A digital camera can support many different printers, each with its own set of parameters such as for example print size, pixel size, colorimetry, sensitometry, and artifacts compensation. Printer parameters are uploaded from the printer to the camera to provide a basis for image processing specific to the associated printer; whereby compensation may be done for variations in the printer characteristics which may occur as a result of printer manufacturing variations, and further so that compensation may be done for different media types which may be installed in the printer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation in part of commonly assigned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/833,106 filed in the name of JeffreyA. Small on Apr. 4, 1997. Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/977,382, filed in the name of Kenneth A.Parulski on Nov. 24, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to digital cameras and associatedprinters for producing hardcopy images captured by such cameras.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Typically, images captured by digital cameras must be processedbefore they are printed. This processing is carried out in the printer.Significant computing and memory resources are required to process animage for printing. Accordingly, the printer must be provided withexpensive computing and memory resources. One solution known in theprior art is to provide access to a stand-alone computer that isconnectable to both the camera and the printer, either directly or byportable memory. This solution is inappropriate when the printer is tobe used in remote locations distanced from the computer.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to a feature of the present invention, we have come toappreciate that computing and memory resources, which already exist inelectronic cameras in order for the camera to capture, process,compress, and store images, can be used to provide the computing andmemory resources that are required to process an image for printing,particularly for printing on a portable, low cost ink jet printer.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a systemwherein already-existing computing and memory resources in an electroniccamera are used to process an image for printing. This is possiblebecause the existing computing and memory resources are otherwisegenerally idle during the printing stage. Accordingly, it is a featureof the present invention that, rather than duplicating, in printers,computing and memory resources that are already in digital cameras, thepresent invention provides for camera and printer systems whereinsignificant computing and memory resources need exist only in thecamera. Because such resources are already required by the camera inorder to perform the camera functions, the cost of the camera is notincreased. Because the resources are no longer required in the printer,the overall system cost is greatly reduced.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide adigital camera that can support many different printers, each with itsown set of parameters such as for example print size, pixel size,colorimetry, sensitometry, and artifacts compensation. Accordingly, itis a feature of the present invention to provide for uploading printdrivers and printer parameters to the camera to provide a basis forimage processing specific to an associated printer; whereby compensationmay be done for variations in the printer characteristics which mayoccur as a result of printer manufacturing variations, and further sothat compensation may be done for different media types which may beinstalled in the printer, in particular different types of ink jet mediainstalled in an ink jet printer.

[0007] According to another feature of the present invention, a digitalcamera includes an image sensor and a lens adapted to focus a scene ontothe image sensor such that the image sensor captures analog image data.An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog image data capturedby the image sensor to digital image data. An image processor performsfirst processing and compression of the digital image data to create afirst-processed digital image file. A plurality of first-processeddigital image files from the image processor are stored in removabledigital memory. A digital image file, which is user-selected from thedigital memory, is applied to a separate color printer havingpredetermined characteristics via an interface, wherein the imageprocessor is adapted to perform second processing on the user-selecteddigital image file before the user-selected digital image file isapplied to the interface.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,color records of the user-selected digital image file are converted tomulti-tone values during the second processing.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, color records of the user-selected digital image file areprocessed during the second processing to provide ink limiting. The inklimiting is effected using type of printer, ink, and receiver mediainformation provided by the separate color printer over the interface.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the separate color printer uses four ink colors, and thecolor records of the user-selected digital image file are converted tothree image planes and are color corrected during said second processingto provide a set of color planes corresponding to each ink color of theseparate color printer.

[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a color image display provides user-observable images offirst-processed digital image files stored in the removable digitalmemory. User controls are coupled to the processor for user-selecting adigital image file to be second processed by the image processor.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the first processing includes: interpolation to provide red,green and blue image data values to provide red, green, and blue colorplanes; color correction of the red, green, and blue color planes; andimage compression. The second processing includes decompression of theuser-selected digital image file before the user-selected digital imagefile is applied to the interface.

[0013] The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become moreapparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodimentspresented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention presented below, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital camera accordingto the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a digital printer accordingto the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a camera-printer systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a digital camera accordingto the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the camera-related imageprocessing operations provided by the digital camera of FIG. 3 in theprocess of capturing and storing images; and

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting the printer-related imageprocessing provided by the digital camera of FIG. 3 in the process ofreading and printing images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present description will be directed in particular toelements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatusin accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood thatelements not specifically shown or described may take various forms wellknown to those skilled in the art.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 provides significantimage processing and memory resources to capture, process, compress, andstore images. An imager 12 includes an array of image sensors such as,for example, light sensitive photoelements. Conventionally, a completeimage frame is available in digital form from imager 12, only for ashort time interval. Thus, the captured image is temporarily stored inraw form in a volatile memory 14. Various image processing algorithmsare stored in a program memory 16, and are executed by an imageprocessor 18 in order to process the image data stored in volatilememory 14. For example, the image processing algorithms may include allor some of the processes of image sensor tone scale compensation, colorfilter array interpolation, color space transformation, re-sizing,spatial filtering, and compression, as will be described in greaterdetail later in reference to FIG. 5. The resulting processed image datais then typically stored in a nonvolatile memory 20.

[0023] This stored image must be further processed prior to printing.Such further processing may include some or all of the steps ofdecompression, color space transformation into color planes thatcoincide with the process colors of the particular printer, re-sizing,rotation, and compensation for the printing process, as will bedescribed in greater detail later in reference to FIG. 6. In prior artsystems, this further processing has been effected by computing andmemory resources in the printer or in a stand-alone computer. Accordingto the present invention, this further processing is performed using theresources which are already in camera 10. It is advantageous to performall of the processing using the resources in camera 10 in order to avoidthe additional expense of including similar resources in the printer. Toeffect such image processing in camera 10, the camera is provided with aparameter memory 22 and a printer interface 24, both to be furtherdescribed hereinafter.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a printer 30 includes a camera interface 32,an inexpensive simple processor 34, a media transport mechanism 36, animage memory 38, a program memory 40, and a marking apparatus 42. Aprocessed image, received from camera 10 of FIG. 1 via interface 32, maybe stored by printer 30 in image memory 38 for subsequent printing bymarking means 42 under the control of simple processor 34 and a programstored in program memory 40, or the processed image may be printedimmediately. Simple processor 34 need not be capable of executingprinter compensation algorithms.

[0025] Parameters, which may vary as a result of manufacturingvariations in the printer, may be measured by an external means 44 atthe time of manufacture. Said parameters may then be stored in avariable parameter table 46, which is part of the printer. Camera 10 mayquery printer 30 to establish whether the printer will performcompensation for the variable parameters, or whether the camera shouldrequest and accept the variable parameters from the printer, andsubsequently perform compensation for said variable parameters. Theprinter provides both fixed parameters from a fixed parameter table 48and variable parameters from its variable parameter table 46 to thecamera by means of camera and printer interfaces 24 and 32,respectively. The camera stores these parameters in local parametermemory 22.

[0026] When an image in either volatile memory 14 or nonvolatile memory20 is selected for printing, image processor 18 processes the selectedimage, using the fixed and variable parameters which are stored inparameter memory 22, and transmits the processed image to the printer bymeans of interfaces 24 and 32. Processing may include all or part of theoperations of image sensor tone scale compensation, color filter arrayinterpolation, decompression, color space transformation, re-sizing,rotation, cropping, spatial filtering, and compensation for the printingprocess, but is not limited to these specific operations.

[0027] In addition, parameters which can vary during printing may alsobe transmitted by the printer to the camera during the printing processand used by image processor 18 to further compensate the image forprinting process variations during the printing operation. Theparameters may include temperature, ink viscosity, measured density, andany other parameters which are known to vary with the specific printingprocess employed by the printer.

[0028] Further, parameters characteristic of particular media materialat media transport mechanism 36 may be determined by simple processor 34over an interface 50 and transmitted to the camera. The media parametersmay include parameters which vary with media type and parameters whichvary between different batches of media due to manufacturing variations.Thus, compensation for the media parameters may be done by imageprocessor 18 in the camera.

[0029] Any such media parameters, fixed parameters, and variableparameters may be transferred from printer 30 to camera 10 by means of aremovable non-volatile memory cartridge 52 shown in FIG. 3. The memorycartridge may also be used to transfer images between the camera and theprinter. As used herein, the phrases “camera interface and printerinterface” are intended to include cable connections, transferablememory, radiation transmission (light, microwave, infrared, etc.), andother forms of information transfer between components.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing portable digital camera 10depicted in more detail than was shown in FIG. 1. Digital camera 10stores images on a removable flash memory card 330, which is a specifictype of non-volatile memory 14 (shown in FIG. 1). Digital camera 10includes a zoom lens 312 having zoom and focus motor drives 310 and anadjustable aperture and shutter (not shown). Zoom lens 312 focuses lightfrom a scene (not shown) on image sensor 12. Image sensor 12 may be, forexample, a single-chip color CCD image sensor, such as a Toshiba modelTCD5603D CCD sensor, available from Toshiba America ElectronicComponents, Irvine Califormia. The model TCD5603D sensor hasapproximately 1536 columns and 1024 rows of photoelements, and uses thewell-known Bayer color filter pattern. Other CCD or CMOS image sensors,having various image array sizes and color filter patterns, mayalternatively be used.

[0031] Image sensor 12 is controlled by clock drivers 306. Zoom andfocus motors 310 and clock drivers 306 are controlled by control signalssupplied by a control processor and timing generator circuit 304. Thecontrol processor and timing generator 304 receives inputs fromautofocus and autoexposure detectors 308 and controls a flash 302. Theanalog output signal from image sensor 12 is amplified and converted todigital data by the analog signal processing (ASP) and analog-to-digital(A/D) converter circuit 316. The A/D converter may alternatively beincluded a part of image sensor 12, particularly if a CMOS image sensoris used. The digital data is stored in a DRAM buffer memory 318, whichis a specific type of volatile memory 14 (shown in FIG. 1). The digitalimage data stored in DRAM buffer memory 318 is subsequently processed bya processor 18 controlled by the firmware stored in program memory 16,which can be provided by a flash EPROM memory 328. Flash EPROM memory328 can be a single memory chip which can also provide parameter memory22.

[0032] The processed digital image file is provided to a memory cardinterface 324 which stores the digital image file on removable memorycard 330. Removable memory cards are known to those skilled in the art.For example, removable memory card 330 may be adapted to the CompactFlash interface standard, such as described in the CompactFlashSpecification Version 1.3, published by the CompactFlash Association,Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998. Alternatively, removable memory card330 can be adapted to the PCMCIA card interface standard, as describedin the PC Card Standard, Release 2.0, published by the Personal ComputerMemory Card International Association, Sunnyvale, Calif., September1991. Removable memory card 330 can also be adapted to the well knownsecure digital (SD), solid state floppy disk card (SSFDC) or MemoryStick formats. Other types of non-volatile digital memory devices, suchas magnetic hard drives, magnetic tape, or optical disks, couldalternatively be used to store the digital images.

[0033] Processor 18 performs color interpolation followed by color andtone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image data as definedin IEC 61966-2-1 Multimedia systems and equipment—Color measurement andmanagement—Part 2-1: Color management—Default RGB color space—sRGBavailable from the International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva,Switzerland. The rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed andstored as a JPEG image file on removable memory card 330 using anJPEG/Exif version 2.1 image file as defined in Digital Still CameraImage File Format Standard (Exchangeable Image File Format for DigitalStill Camera: Exif), version 2.1, JBIDA-49-1998 available from the JapanElectronic Industry Development Association, Tokyo, Japan. The JPEG/Exifimage files can be utilized by many different image capable devices,such as computers and imaging kiosks.

[0034] Processor 18 also creates a “thumbnail” size image that is storedin RAM memory 326 and supplied to color LCD image display 332, whichdisplays the captured image for the user to review. Electronic camera300 is controlled by user controls 303, such as a series of user buttonsincluding a shutter release (e.g., capture button) (not shown) whichinitiates a picture taking operation. The graphical user interfacedisplayed on color LCD image display 332 is controlled by the userinterface portion of the firmware stored in program memory 16. Thegraphical user interface is also used to select images for printing, andcan optionally be used to select the number of copies and the printlayout (e.g. the number images printed on one page). The images selectedfor printing may be immediately printed, if digital camera 10 isconnected to printer 30. If not, image processor 18 creates an “imageutilization” file listing the image to be printed, the number copies foreach image, and the print size, as described in commonly assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/977,382, filed by Parulski on Nov. 24,1997, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. This“image utilization” file, which can conform to the well-known digitalprint order format (DPOF) is stored on removable flash memory card 330along with the digital images captured by digital camera 10.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the image processing operationsthat are performed by image processor 18 in digital camera 10 in orderto process the images from image sensor 12 stored in DRAM buffer memory318.

[0036] The Bayer pattern color filter array data (block 500) which hasbeen digitally converted by A/D converter 16 is interpolated in block510 to provide red, green and blue (RGB) image data values at each pixellocation in order to provide complete RGB color planes. Color filterarray interpolation in block 510 can use the luminance CFA interpolationmethod described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,621, entitled“Adaptive color plane interpolation in single sensor color electroniccamera” to Adams et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporatedby reference. The color filter array interpolation in block 510 can alsouse the chrominance CFA interpolation method described in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,678, entitled “Signal processing method andapparatus for producing interpolated chrominance values in a sampledcolor image signal”, to Cok, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

[0037] A color space transformation is applied to the interpolated RGBcolor planes in order to provide color correction, prior to imagestorage. The RGB color planes are color corrected in block 520 using,for example, the 3×3 linear space color correction matrix 20 depicted inFIG. 4 of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511, entitled “Methodand apparatus for improving the color rendition of hardcopy images fromelectronic cameras” to Parulski et al., the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. The color correction matrixcoefficients which are stored in program memory 16 in digital camera 10can be, for example:

[0038] Rout=1.50 Rin−0.30 Gin−0.20 Bin

[0039] Gout==0.40 Rin+1.80 Gin−0.40 Bin

[0040] Bout==0.20 Rin−0.20 Gin+1.40 Bin

[0041] The color corrected color planes are tone corrected in block 530.This tone correction 530 can use, for example, the lookup tablecorresponding to FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511 cited above. Thislookup table is stored in program memory 16 in digital camera 10.Alternatively, color correction image processing operations 520 and tonecorrection image processing operations 530 can be provided by athree-dimensional lookup table (3D LUT). An example of such a 3D LUT isdescribed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.09/540,807 filed Mar. 31, 2000 in the names of Geoffrey Woolfe et al.,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The 3D LUTis more complex than the 3×3 matrix and single-channel LUT approachdescribed above. However, it allows better control of color saturation.For example, it allows increased color saturation for most memory colorswithout increasing the saturation of flesh tone colors and near-neutralcolors.

[0042] The image sharpening provided in block 540 of FIG. 5 can utilizethe method described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,419 ('419patent), entitled “Detail processing method and apparatus providinguniform processing of horizontal and vertical detail components” toHibbard et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

[0043] The image compression provided in block 550 of FIG. 6 can use themethod described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,574 (the '574patent), entitled “Adaptive block transform image coding method andapparatus” to Daly et al., the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

[0044] The compressed image files are stored on removable flash memorycard 330 as Exif image files. After a series of images have been takenand stored on removable memory card 330, removable memory card 330 canoptionally be inserted into a memory card reader in the user's hostcomputer (not shown) in order to transfer the images captured by thedigital camera to the host computer, where they can be viewed, e-mailedvia the Internet, etc. To print images without using a host computer, aninterface cable 342 can be used to connect between printer interface 24in digital camera 10 and the corresponding camera interface in digitalprinter 30. Printer interface 24 may conform to, for example, thewell-know universal serial bus (USB) interface specification.Alternatively, printer interface 24 may conform to the RS-232 interfacespecification, the IEEE 1394 (Firewire) interface specification, orother cable interface specifications. Alternatively, the interface mayutilize a wireless interface such as the well-known IRDA (Infrared DataAssociation) interface or an RF (radio frequency) interface such as thewell-known Bluetooth RF interface.

[0045]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting the printer-related imageprocessing provided by image processor 18 in digital camera 10 in theprocess of reading and printing images on an ink jet printer. The imagesto be printed are selected by the user as described earlier. In block600, the image file to be printed is retrieved from non-volatile memory20 in FIG. 1, such as removable flash memory card 330 in FIG. 4. Ifdigital camera 10 compressed images prior to storage, for example bycreating the JPEG/Exif image files described earlier, the image file isdecompressed in block 605 to provide red, green and blue (RGB) colorplanes. In block 610, each decompressed RGB color plane is sharpened inorder to compensate for the sharpness degradation of the ink jetprinting process.

[0046] A preferred sharpening algorithm uses the well-known unsharpmasking technique to produce a sharpened color plane Xs by creating ablurred version Xb of the original decompressed color plane Xo, and thencomputing

Xs=1+k(Xo−Xb)

[0047] where X is each of the R, G, and B color planes, and k is a gainfactor. Gain factor k can be a parameter stored in fixed parameter table48 in printer 30 for all printers of a given model, or alternately invariable parameter table 46 for a particular printer, which is measuredfor each batch of printers as they are manufactured. The gain factor isprovided from printer 30 to digital camera 10 by means of camera andprinter interfaces 24 and 32 respectively, when printer 30 is connectedto camera 10. The camera stores the gain factor k in camera parametermemory 22.

[0048] The sharpened RGB color planes are color corrected in block 615.The color correction block preferably uses a 3D LUT. The input to the 3DLUT is the RGB color plane, and the output is, for example, cyan,magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) color planes corresponding to thecolor inks used as the process colors for printer 30. This 3D LUT ispreferably provided using the ICC profile format defined by theInternational Color Consortium. The 3D LUT profile values can beparameters stored in fixed parameter table 48 in printer 30 for allprinters of a given model, or alternately in variable parameter table 46for a particular printer, which is measured for each batch of printersas they are manufactured. The ICC profile is provided from printer 30 todigital camera 10 by means of camera and printer interfaces 24 and 32respectively, when printer 30 is connected to camera 10. The camerastores the ICC profile values in camera parameter memory 22.

[0049] If printer 30 is an ink jet printer using more than four colorinks, the CMYK color planes are further processed in block 615 toprovide color planes corresponding to each ink. This processingpreferably uses ink rendering processing to convert a single color plane(e.g. the cyan channel C) into two color planes (e.g. light cyan Cl anddark cyan Cd). Therefore, the output of color correction block 615 isset of color planes corresponding to the color inks used in the inkjetprinter, which may for example use light cyan, dark cyan, light magenta,dark magenta, yellow, and black color inks as the process colors.

[0050] In block 620, the color records are calibrated in order tocorrect for variations in tone scale. These variations may be may be theresult of manufacturing variations in printer 10 or media (e.g. ink jethead or paper receiver) used by the printer. The calibration is providedby a one-dimensional lookup table applied to each color plane. Thelookup table can be provided by parameters stored in variable parametertable 46 for a particular printer, which is measured for printer 30 asit is manufactured. Alternatively, the lookup table can be created byimage processor 18 in digital camera 10 using parameters or settingsprovided by printer 30. The parameters or settings can include, forexample, data indicating the type of media (e.g. ink jet head or paperreceiver) used by the printer, or data such as the ink viscosity,humidity, etc. The lookup tables, parameters, or settings are providedfrom printer 30 to digital camera 10 by means of camera and printerinterfaces 24 and 32 respectively, when printer 30 is connected tocamera 10. The camera stores this data in camera parameter memory 22.

[0051] In block 625, the calibrated color planes corresponding to theinks of the inkjet printer are processed to provide ink limiting. Thisprocessing reduces the amount of ink that is deposited on the receivermedia in high ink laydown areas. This is required in order to minimizedeglossing and ink bleeding problems that reduce the image quality. Italso reduces the stickiness, long drying time and delamination problemscaused by laying down too much ink. The ink limiting step typicallylimits the total ink provided by all ink color planes to a maximum of 2to 3 times the maximum amount of ink provided by a single color plane.The exact limit depends on the combination of the printer, ink, receivermedia, and, to some extent, the humidity. To determine the appropriatelimit to make a print, the type of printer, ink, and receiver media canbe communicated from printer 30 to digital camera 10. In someembodiments, ahumidity sensor in printer 30 can be used to sense theapproximate humidity. A corresponding humidity parameter can becommunicated, along with the type of printer, ink, and receiver media,from printer 30 to digital camera 10 by means of camera and printerinterfaces 24 and 32 respectively, when printer 30 is connected tocamera 10. The camera stores this data in camera parameter memory 22.

[0052] In block 630, the color records corresponding to the processcolors of the ink jet printer are resized and rotated if necessary. Thisconverts the pixels captured by the digital camera (e.g. the 1536columns×1024 rows) to the appropriate number of pixels required byprinter 30 in order to produce a selected image size. To perform thisconversion, the number of pixels per inch used by printer 30 iscommunicated to digital camera 10, when printer 30 is connected tocamera 10. The camera stores this data in camera parameter memory 22.

[0053] In block 635, the color records are converted to multi-tonevalues. Multi-toning is the process of reducing the bit depth of theimage in a manner that reduces the spatial resolution while increasingthe density resolution. Multi-toning is required in ink jet printersbecause the ink jet printers have few density levels (e.g. two densitylevels corresponding to ink or no ink, or four density levelscorresponding to various ink drop sizes). Multi-toning using two densitylevels is also known as half-toning. Multi-toning may be provided usinga variety of algorithms, such as the well-known “error diffusion” and“blue noise dithering” algorithms. In order for image processor 18 indigital camera 10 to provide multi-toning appropriate for printer 30,the number of density levels, and the density of each level, is providedby printer 30. More specifically, the density levels for each multi-tonelevel are stored in fixed parameter table 48 in printer 30 for allprinters of a given model. The density levels are provided from printer30 to digital camera 10 by means of camera and printer interfaces 24 and32 respectively, when printer 30 is connected to camera 10. The camerastores the density levels in camera parameter memory 22.

[0054] In step 650, the multi-tone color records corresponding to theinks used in printer 30 are communicated from digital camera 10 toprinter 30 by means of camera and printer interfaces 24 and 32respectively. Printer 30 produces an ink jet print using the multi-tonecolor records by controlling the marking apparatus 42 and mediatransport mechanism 36 using simple processor 34.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, some or all of the printerparameters are provided on a removable media, such as a floppy disk (notshown) or removable flash memory card 330, rather than being stored infixed parameter table 48 or variable parameter table 46. The removablemedia is provided along with printer 30, and is inserted into digitalcamera 10 so that the parameters can be downloaded and stored inparameter memory 22. In the case of a floppy disk, the disk may beinserted into a separate host computer (not shown) and downloaded to thecamera using a computer interface. The computer interface can use thesame type of connection (e.g. USB, RS-232, IEEE 1394) as printerinterface 24. Alternatively, the parameters may be included as part of aprinter driver which performs all of the processing described inrelation to FIG. 6. In this case, the printer driver firmware isdownloaded from the removable media (supplied along with printer 30) andstored in the program memory 16 of digital camera 10.

[0056] In another alternative embodiment, some or all of the printerparameters, such as an ICC profile appropriate for particular “printerconsumables” sold as a package, are provided as part of the printerconsumables package. The printer consumables package can include, forexample, printer receiver media (e.g. a quantity of photo grade ink jetpaper) and a replacement color ink jet head for a particular type ofprinter. This printer consumables package can be provided with anonvolatile digital memory, such as an EPROM, provided as part of thereplacement color ink jet head. The parameters, such as the ICC profile,can be read from the EPROM memory by the simple processor 34 via theinterface to the marking apparatus 42 when the color ink jet head isinserted into the printer 30, and transferred to the digital camera 10via the interface 32.

[0057] The invention has been described in detail with particularreference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understoodthat variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera for use with a separate colorprinter having predetermined characteristics, said camera comprising: ahousing; an image sensor; a lens adapted to focus a scene onto the imagesensor such that the image sensor captures analog image data; ananalog-to-digital converter adapted to convert the analog image datacaptured by the image sensor to digital image data; an image processoradapted to perform first processing and compression of the digital imagedata to create a first-processed digital image file; digital memoryremovably mounted in the camera housing, a plurality of first-processeddigital image files from the image processor being stored in theremovable digital memory; and an interface to the separate color printerto which a digital image file, which is user-selected from the digitalmemory, is applied, wherein the image processor is adapted to performsecond processing on the user-selected digital image file before theuser-selected digital image file is applied to the interface.
 2. Adigital camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein color records of theuser-selected digital image file are converted to multi-tone valuesduring said second processing.
 3. A digital camera as set forth in claim2 wherein the multi-tone values are determined using a predeterminednumber of density levels provided by the separate color printer over theinterface.
 4. A digital camera as set forth in claim 3 wherein themulti-tone values are determined using a predetermined density for eachof the density levels.
 5. A digital camera as set forth in claim 1wherein color records of the user-selected digital image file areprocessed during said second processing to provide ink limiting.
 6. Adigital camera as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ink limiting iseffected using type of printer, ink, and receiver media informationprovided by the separate color printer over the interface.
 7. A digitalcamera as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the separate color printer usesfour ink colors; and the color records of the user-selected digitalimage file are converted to three image planes and are color correctedduring said second processing to provide a set of color planescorresponding to each ink color of the separate color printer.
 8. Adigital camera as set forth in claim 7 wherein the provided set of colorplanes corresponding to each ink color of the separate color printerinclude at least four colors.
 9. A digital camera as set forth in claim7 wherein the provided set of color planes corresponding to each inkcolor of the separate color printer include light cyan, dark cyan, lightmagenta, dark magenta, yellow, and black.
 10. A digital camera as setforth in claim 1 wherein: the separate color printer uses four inkcolors; the color records of the user-selected digital image file areconverted to three image planes; and sequentially during said secondprocessing: the three image planes are color corrected to provide a setof color planes corresponding to each ink color of the separate colorprinter, color records of the user-selected digital image file areprocessed to provide ink limiting, and color records of theuser-selected digital image file are converted to multi-tone values. 11.A digital camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the housing includes acolor image display for providing user-observable images offirst-processed digital image files stored in the removable digitalmemory; and user controls coupled to the processor for user-selecting adigital image file to be second processed by said image processor.
 12. Adigital camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the first processingincludes: interpolation to provide red, green and blue image data valuesto provide red, green, and blue color planes, color correction of thered, green, and blue color planes, and image compression; and the secondprocessing includes decompression of the user-selected digital imagefile before the user-selected digital image file is applied to theinterface.
 13. A digital camera as set forth in claim 12 wherein: theseparate color printer uses four ink colors; the color records of theuser-selected digital image file are converted to three image planes;and sequentially during said second processing: the decompression of theuser-selected digital image file is effected, the three image planes andare color corrected to provide a set of color planes corresponding toeach ink color of the separate color printer, color records of theuser-selected digital image file are processed to provide ink limiting,and color records of the user-selected digital image file are convertedto multi-tone values.